Taming of the Chimp, Parts 1 & 2 – 1/28/17

Early in the month, I had started joining the local YMCA so I’d have a place to train during the cold. Today, I went back to finish the enrollment and get my first swim session in.

If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it; It’s just that simple. So I started putting things that I had learned at #CampNoSightNoLimits into practice today. During camp, Coach Ray spent a good amount of time working one-on-one with me on breathing and mechanics. Coach Simon talked with us at length about sports psychology and Coach Alan about nutrition.

It started in the pool with the breathing and stroking techniques that we had worked on. Even though I’m still not getting my left arm high enough up, I did notice improvements during the swim. I wasn’t feeling as tired as I normally do when trying to force 4 strokes or going 4-2-4 because I’ve run out of breath after the first 4. At about the 3/4 mile mark, Coach Simon’s speech came into play.

At that point, I was struggling and the technique was really breaking down. I was tempted to get out of the pool instead of finishing the full mile I had planned to do. I took a minute to relax, catch my breath and find a way to finish it. It was at this point that I muttered ‘fuck you chimp, we’re finishing this mile.’ I finished the mile and then did another 100 to show him who’s boss.

Once done at the pool, I headed to the store to load up on protein and other better foods. This was where Coach Alan’s lecture really helped. There are a lot of things that I got which I wouldn’t have before that I did, and a lot that I would have gotten before that I didn’t. The only thing I think that was ‘bad’ was the bag of peanutes. I got a lot of odd stares from both people in line and the cashier. But I don’t care; I just care about the results.

Back into the pool tomorrow and hopefully a strength workout as well.

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